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The Joan Bra

January 15, 2016

I was super excited when Erin opened her store. I've fallen in love with so many of her bras it just isn't funny. Of course postage to Australia from Canada is rather prohibitive. The wonderful Karin of Mrs Weaver's Finest Unmentionables just happened to be visiting and offered to bring some wonderful goodies over for me and save me a fortune in postage. We had a wonderful lunch and it was so lovely to catch up with an online friend!

Today I'm pleased to share the first bra I made using the small red bra kit. I purchases a few kits so you'll see some others coming up when I get around to making them :)

So I'm just a little in love with this bra. I'm calling it my Joan Bra as I may have been watching too much Mad Men over the past few weeks and this just reminds me of Joan.

I used Orange Lingerie'sBoylston Bra pattern for this bra. For a number of reasons, I really love the balconette style, I wanted to try it without foam and I've nearly nailed the fit. I'm pleased to report I think I love it more without foam than with. It still gives a lovely shape under tshirts.

I fully lined the cups, bridge and frame with the stretch mesh included in the kit. It probably wasn't really required but I'm pleased with the results overall. It also allowed me to fully enclose all the seams which I think gives a really professional finish to the bra.

As far as general fit goes, now that I nearly have the cup fit sorted there aren't many fit issues there, especially none that I am worried about at this point in time given this was the first time I had worked with this fabric. I did find that the band seemed a little tight however that seems to have eased now that I've worn it a few times.

I also used Erin's Bliss Wires for this bra. I quite like them but I'm not convinced the fit is perfect for me, they are certainly wearable but not perfect. Saying that I do love the way the sit flat at the bridge. I'm sure I'll use them again.

The little details like the topstitching and the bows are what just make bra making so much fun in my books. Something so practical and so pretty all at once and the best bit is its all handmade. Seriously nothing can be better than that.

Overall I'm incredibly happy with it and can't wait to use the other kits I bought from Erin. I'm trying to work out how to make this one into a matching set, I'm sure I'll come up with something but if you have any suggestions please let me know :)

are instructions for lining in the pattern or did you figure that out yourself....very nicely enclosed seams and finish....a very nice looking bra....did you have to do a lot of adjustments to the pattern?

I'd recommend <a href="https://missmaddysews.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/behind-the-seams-bra-lining-tutorial/>this tutorial</a> by Miss Maddy Sews for instruction on how to the enclose the seams. Not overly simple on this pattern but still quite straight forward. Thankfully I didn't have to do many adjustments, just take some volume out of the upper cup, however it's still not quite perfect but pretty close :)

HELLO

Hi! I'm Emma! I'm a 23 year old from South East Queensland, Australia. My day job is an administration officer but when I get home it's hard to drag me away from my sewing machine. I chronicle all my sewing adventures here on my blog, A Hand Stitched Life. Take a look around and feel free to drop me a line :)